The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will provide $3.3 million in affordable housing funds to build 35 new units of housing for homeless veterans in Shrewsbury.

"Creating affordable housing helps to generate jobs, grow local businesses and strengthen our communities," Gov. Deval Patrick said in a statement. "Government’s role is to help people help themselves, and these resources will help provide affordable and reliable housing opportunities for our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our Commonwealth and our nation."

The announcement took place at the non-profit Veterans Inc., which will rehabilitate an underutilized facility in Shrewsbury into 35 units for homeless veterans.

"By committing to expanding and improving affordable housing stock in Massachusetts, we are reducing homelessness and creating new opportunities for this important population," Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary for the DHCD and chair of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, said in a statement.

Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Coleman Nee added in a statement, "No one who has ever worn the uniform of this great nation should struggle to find a roof over their head…Projects like this will enable Massachusetts to become the first state in the country to end veterans’ homelessness."

The Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness recently released a plan to end homelessness among veterans. The plan has a goal of reducing the number of homeless veterans by 1,000 by 2015, which will virtually eliminate homelessness among this population.